Liam SmithWho said vinyl is dead in Ottawa? The nation’s capital still has spins rocking the scene and streets with funky record shops like Compact Music and Sunrise Records.
Whether you’re hunting for vintage classics or pumped for the freshest bops, these music emporiums will get your groove on. We compiled the best ones below along with tips and deals music lovers can’t miss!
Compact Music
Address: 785 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3V5
Contact Details: (613) 233-8922
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 10 am to 6 pm
- Thu to Fri – 10 am to 8 pm
- Sat to Sun – 10 am to 6 pm
A family-run joint, Compact Music is an intimate record store for music lovers. The indie shop has been around for nearly 30 years and features over 40,000 multigenre records, from ferocious metal to majestic classical and everything in between.
Their top products are vinyl and CDs, both secondhand and brand-new. The price tags run from around $20 to $70, depending on rarity, demand, and quality.
A few of Compact Music’s top records that have been attracting collectors from Ottawa and beyond are Half Moon Run’s soul-stirring ‘Salt’ and Green Day’s head-banging ‘Saviors.’
| Tip: Email them at [email protected] or call the number above if you’re looking for a record that isn’t on their physical store. Their music-savvy staff will help you find it. Prices will be contingent upon negotiations. |
Vertigo Records
Address: 1208 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3Y1
Contact Details: (613) 241-1011
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Sat – 11 am to 6 pm
- Sun – 12 pm to 5 pm
Ever since it began business in 2003, Vertigo Records has been one of Ottawa’s most cherished destinations for audiophiles. The store’s primary genres are rock, hip-hop, soul, jazz, garage, reggae, blues, and metal.
Their shelves are stacked high with vinyl and CDs that are in pristine condition. And hey, they’re not just about the tunes; the store slings turntables, music accessories, and oddities like figurines of music legends and retro posters.
The store is also the place to be if you want to sell some killer CDs or vinyl in perfect condition. The owners prioritize the primary genres they sell, but they’re also willing to pay big bucks for classical, big band, and dance (dance classes ottawa) records.
| Tip: For sellers, if you’re bringing more than 50 items, it’s advisable to call the store beforehand to ensure they haven’t reached their daily purchasing quota. Additionally, you can request house calls if you have a massive collection that’s hard to transport. |
Sunrise Records
Address: Carlingwood Mall, 2121 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON K2A 1H2
Contact Details: (613) 792-3865
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 10 am to 8 pm
- Sat – 9:30 am to 6 pm
- Sun – 11 am to 5 pm
Sunrise Records is a timeless Ottawa royalty with records spanning Taylor Swift’s chart-topping hits to AC/DC’s thunderous anthems. They’ve been holding it down since 1977, so you know their quality of service and goods are no joke.
Dig into the store’s collection, and you’ll find vinyl, CDs, and cassettes ranging from a cool $18 to a hefty $80. Their most treasured copies include ‘Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven’ and ‘Voodoo Lounge Uncut.’
You shouldn’t sleep on their massive collection of KPOP CDs, too, featuring everyone from BTS and Seventeen to LE SSERAFIM and ITZY. Moreover, they have cutting-edge speakers and headphones to take your experience to the next level.
| Tips: You can enjoy free shipping by ordering at least $100 worth of Sunrise Records products. In addition, join their contests to win prizes like guitars and rare, signed CDs. The contest’s guidelines are a bit long, so make sure to read them. |
Baked Goods Record Store
Address: 2561 Baseline Rd, Ottawa, ON K2H 7B3
Contact Details: (613) 596-0619
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Sat – 11 am to 7 pm
- Sun – 12 pm to 5 pm
The indie studio Baked Goods Record Store is a dream for hardcore collectors on the prowl for vintage stereos, vinyl, memorabilia, and tapes.
Blues, funk, classical, and hip-hop are the usual records you’ll stumble upon here. But it’s not just about the regular spins here; Baked Goods takes pride in offering rare gems like the vinyl of ‘People Under The Stairs’ and Notorious B.I.G.’s ‘Ready To Die.’
The prized rarities above may set you back around $160, but don’t worry if your budget is feeling the pinch. Wallet-watchers can opt for cheaper CDs starting at 10 bucks.
| Tip: Visit on a Wednesday if you’re a seller of music vinyl, tapes, merchandise, and equipment looking to get your products appraised. Before you drive to the record store, though, remember to contact the staff for a heads-up. |
Turning Point
Address: 411 Cooper St, Ottawa, ON K2P 0H1
Contact Details: (613) 230-4586
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Sat – 10 am to 6 pm
- Sun – 1 pm to 5 pm
If you grew up in Ottawa in the early 80s, there’s a huge change you’ve heard of the legendary Turning Point.
This music hotbed is a homely shop that’s all about the hustle, buying, selling, and trading used records that cater to the eclectic tastes of its clientele. Inside, you can browse a multigenre collection of vinyl and CDs still in tip-top quality.
Prices of regular records here are also music to the ears, ranging from a modest $4 to a wallet-friendly $10. However, albums in vinyl are costlier, which is great news for sellers but not for collectors in a cash crunch.
| Tip: Keep an eye out for sales and promotions at Turning Point to maximize savings on your purchases. Check their social media accounts to stay in the loop or beeline to the store during holidays for seasonal promos. |
The ODDs & SODs Shoppe
Address: Bleeker Mall, 1400 Clyde Ave. Unit 8, Nepean, ON K2G 3J2
Contact Details: (613) 225-9027
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 10 am to 7 pm
- Sat – 10 am to 6 pm
- Sun – 11 am to 5 pm
It’s hard to beat the uniqueness of The ODDs & SODs Shoppe, a quirky haven for music aficionados. It has must-have vinyl records, modern and retro turntables, and hilarious music memorabilia for days.
Jazz, pop, metal, rock, and hip-hop are the crowd favorites here, but you can also expect soul, country, and movie soundtracks. The records’ prices, most of which are in vinyl, go from 20 bucks to $70.
Beyond the bangers, you can snag unique (unique things to do in ottawa) items, like textile posters of album covers, cozy band tees, and vintage puzzles with images of music artists and groups.
| Tip: Online shoppers can enjoy free shipping on orders over $150 before taxes. |
Legend Records
Address: 1292 Wellington St. W Unit 200, Ottawa, ON K1Y 3A1
Contact Details: (613) 596-5766
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 11 am to 5 pm
- Thu to Sat – 11 am to 6 pm
- Sun – 12 pm to 5 pm
Legend Records has been a staple of the Ottawa record scene since its inception in 1979. This spot is a melting pot of musical genres, offering everything from mainstream pop and rock to niche styles like vaporwave, ambient, and progressive rock.
When it comes to pricing, the store keeps it real. Buyers and sellers should expect to shell out or receive at least $20 for a decent record with prices varying based on rarity and whether the records are new or used.
But for those out for rare gems, be prepared to dig a little deeper into your pockets. Splurge-worthy spins like ABBA’s ‘Ring Ring’ or 2PAC’s ‘Until the End of Time: 20th Anniversary Edition’ fetch anywhere from $50 to $100.
| Tip: Check the store’s upcoming releases to be the first to grab records like Pearl Jam’s ‘Dark Matter’ and Beyonce’s ‘Country Album.’ |
Possible Worlds
Address: 1292 Wellington St. W Unit 200, Ottawa, ON K1Y 3A1
If you want to tune into the pulse of the community, there’s no spot quite like Possible Worlds, a hub of art and music that’s all about supporting indie talent. Underground toe-tappers, avant-garde mixes—they have it all.
CDs and vinyl here go from a reasonable $17 to $35. Old-school cassettes are wallet-friendly options, as they typically run from $10 to $15.
Some of their collection’s noteworthy pieces include Guy Warren of Ghana’s ‘Afro-Jazz LP,’ Leo Zero’s ‘Disconnect LP compilation 2 x 12,’ and Perc & Modern Heads’ ‘Dax.’
| Tips: Aside from buying records, try to attend Possible World’s community events like record launches and art workshops. Regarding their operating hours, we recommend reaching out to them via Instagram to inquire about their current availability, especially since they recently relocated and don’t have a set schedule yet. |
